Pakistan says 28 terrorists killed in airstrikes near Afghanistan border

Pakistan on Monday said its security forces carried out airstrikes on terrorist camps and hideouts in the border region with Afghanistan, killing 28 terrorists, including multiple suicide bombers, after recent attacks on security personnel in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The information ministry said the action followed a "well-planned intelligence-based" ground operation in Kohat and Hangu districts, and was followed by "calibrated air strikes" on hideouts and safe havens of terrorist organisations that Pakistan blamed for recent attacks in the province. Afghanistan, however, said Pakistani airstrikes in its eastern provinces of Kunar and Paktika killed three civilians and injured four others.

"Based on credible intelligence, selective targeting of terrorist camps and hideouts belonging to Fitna al Khawarij and its affiliates has also been carried out in the border region with Afghanistan with precision and accuracy," the ministry said. Fitna al-Khawarij is the term used by Pakistan's government and military for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and associated militant groups.

The ministry said three targets were destroyed, including a training centre for suicide bombers. It also said large quantities of weapons and ammunition stored at the targeted centres and hideouts were destroyed. Pakistan's claim that 28 terrorists were killed could not be independently verified. While announcing the strikes, the ministry said maximum precautions were taken and that "no collateral damage" occurred.

The strikes came after a series of attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to Pakistani authorities, an attack on a police facility in Kohat last week killed at least 21 people, including 15 police personnel, and injured several others. On Sunday, six Pakistani soldiers, including two officers, were killed in a clash with militants in Hangu district near the Afghan border, Pakistani authorities said.

Pakistan has accused militant groups operating from Afghan territory of carrying out attacks inside the country and has repeatedly urged the Taliban government in Kabul to act against them. Afghanistan has denied allowing its territory to be used for attacks against Pakistan. Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid condemned the strikes and said Afghanistan would give an "appropriate response" to what he described as aggression. The latest strikes mark a fresh escalation in tensions between the two countries. The TTP is separate from, but allied with, Afghanistan's Taliban.

In sum, Pakistan said it carried out ground and air operations against militant targets after recent attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while Afghanistan said the strikes caused civilian casualties and condemned the action, adding to tensions between the two neighbours.